By the time he reached his elder years, the prophet Daniel had seen a lot. First, he and his friends had been carried off into exile in Babylon, as teenagers, but the Lord did not forget them there. Because of his faithfulness and God’s favor, Daniel ended up in positions of authority in the royal court of not only one, but two, great world empires.
Witnessing the end of the Babylonian empire at the hands of Cyrus the Great, Daniel not only survived the transition of power to Medo-Persia, but received an even higher leadership position under King Darius. This new king had appointed 120 governors over the empire, and wished to place Daniel over these – initially in the top three, then over all 120 governors of the land, second only to himself. King Darius became very close to Daniel and had a great appreciation and respect for Daniel’s wisdom and integrity.
One of the major shortcomings of people is a tendency to be envious or jealous of those around them who receive something they wanted for themselves. The 120 governors of Medo-Persia were no exception. The fact that Daniel, an outsider from Judah, received such a coveted role only made matters worse in their eyes. They did not believe in the God of Israel, let alone understand that He was the One responsible for Daniel’s great favor. Thus, they desired to set a trap for Daniel to make him look bad in the king’s eyes, but the only fault they could find in him with was his unfamiliar faith. So, they used Daniel’s beliefs to set him up, pushing the king to sign a decree that looked harmless on the surface, but one that would severely punish all who prayed to anyone but the king during a 30 day period.
8 All the supervisors of the realm, the magistrates and satraps, ministers and governors, have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce a decree that anyone who prays to any god or man for 30 days other than you O king, will be cast into the lions’ den. 9 Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it may not be altered, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” Daniel 6:8-9 (TLV)
A man of faith like Daniel would never even consider not praying to the God who had brought him safely through so many trials, throughout his long life. He did not even try to hide his praying from those seeking to put him to death.
Different forms of torture and execution were in vogue for the various world empires of history. Babylon threw their victims into a raging fire, as had happened to Daniel’s friends, though they were rescued by God. The Romans would implement the cruel and painful technique of crucifixion, to draw out the suffering. Medo-Persians preferred to drop people into dens of hungry and aggressive lions, to inflict fear before dying. It was never the king’s desire to impose this on his trusted colleague Daniel, but once he had signed the decree, there became no way for him to avoid it.
17 So the king gave the order and Daniel was brought and thrown into the lions’ den. Now the king spoke to Daniel saying, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” Daniel 6:17 (TLV)
As King Darius had been tricked into throwing Daniel into the lion’s den, he spent a sleepless night worrying about him. At first light, he ran to the den, hoping against hope that, through some miracle, Daniel had survived the ordeal.
To Darius’ surprise, Daniel actually answered him when the king called out. Daniel replied:
23 My God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they haven’t harmed me, because I was found innocent before Him. Nor have I committed any crime against you, O king.”
24 Then the king was overjoyed, and ordered Daniel taken up out of the den. So Daniel was lifted out of the pit. No injury of any kind was found on him because he had trusted in his God. 25 At the king’s command, those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions’ den—they, their children, and their wives. They had not even reached the bottom of the pit before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. Daniel 6:17 (TLV)
Not for the only time in scripture, those who maliciously set a grisly trap for others, ended up falling into it themselves. Even their families paid the ultimate price for their evil scheme against Daniel and the king.
There are many aspects of this chapter which we can reflect on, but here are three:
First, God rewards faithfulness, and will fight our battles for us, even against those who are physically stronger and more powerful than we are.
Second, we are warned not to plan evil against others, no matter how small or trivial it may seem. We ourselves may end up falling into whatever harm we have arranged for others to experience.
Third, we are reminded just how dangerous envy and jealousy can be in influencing our actions. Whenever others experience God’s favor and blessing, it is not for us to resent them for it. We will get our many blessings, too, within His will and in His timing, though these may be quite different than the blessings on others that we are coveting.
May we all be encouraged by God’s faithfulness to Daniel and know that He loves us deeply, and wants a close relationship with us, as well. He has opened the doors of heaven for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. May we enter by faith in Him.
Reflection
Am I envious or jealous of someone or of something that they possess?
God warns us in the Ten Commandments not to covet the goods, blessings, or relationships that He has granted to another.
Lord, show me the things in my heart that are displeasing to you and wash them away by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Grant me faith to overcome my unbelief. Grant me gratitude for my many blessings while being glad that others are also receiving theirs. Show me where I might be setting someone up to experience evil or a hardship, and help me to quickly put an end to my scheme, even if it is only being formed in my mind. Help me to walk in purity and love, reflecting Your divine Light to others. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a blessed day, walking in and reflecting the pure Light of God today.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 